Older Honda Accords

iggycat

I disagree with the way they do the dealer surveys. I had a pretty long conversation with the salesman about it. If they consider anything less than a 5 to be a failure, then shouldn't it be a binary (yes/no) kind of survey rather than on a scale from 1-5? If they used a bell curve model for the scores (typical), then you would expect that only about 5-10% of all responses would be 5's, the majority would be 2-3-4's (hopefully more 4's if they were doing their jobs well), and less than 5% 1's. I'm no statistician, but that is the distribution that makes most sense to me... not all dealers can expect to have all 5-star ratings. Oh well.

stevem327

Yes, it doesn't make any sense that giving them anything less than a 5 turns the whole survey into a "failure". But I've purchased three cars this year (Ford, Nissan, and Honda) and all three dealers told me the same story about how getting less than a 5 anywhere on the survey tarnishes the whole thing. It's really not much of a survey if anything less than a 5 ruins the whole thing!

I'm not trying to tell you to give them all 5's. By all means, fill the survey out exactly as you see fit. If they deserve a 4 or less, give it to them.

canadiancl

If you only drove for about 600 feet with the parking brake on, then I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think you've done any damage. My wife once drove a Civic with the parking brake on for about 10 km (6 miles). We could smell the burnt pad smell for about 4 days, but other than that there was no permanent damage. I think if you do it all the time, you'd end up with premature wear on one of the rear pads. I've never heard of axle damage though.

stevem327

I think you're right about the parking brake. I drove to work today (17 miles, half city and half highway) and still didn't notice any unusual sounds or vibrations anywhere while turning or braking, so it looks like I'm okay. No burnt pad smell at all yesterday when it happened or today either.

Luckily I caught myself before 600 feet though. Thanks a lot for your input.

sobers

Basically there should be some relation of dealer surveys to the yearly allocations on the cars which makes the rating very crucial. Also some 200 delaerships out of 1200 are given president's award every year & they pro'ly get some % incentive due to that. So ratings are a direct $$$ conversion for the dealers. In short of you are ok with the experience, give them excellent in every category! helps them!! :-) Unless they are really a jurk!

iggythecat

sobers - I disagree... these incentives should be based on outstanding customer service, which is what the surveys are trying to measure. If people fill out the surveys without honestly considering how good and/or bad their experience was, they are merely encouraging mediocrity (not to mention pushy salespeople begging for excellent ratings).

More and more I am finding that no matter where I go or how much money I spend, I am not treated with the service level and the respect that I deserve (case in point-my experience with the first Honda dealer described in a message above). I will probably give the dealer I bought my Accord from all 5's, because I feel they truly did earn it. However, I am never willing to help out a business that did not do everything in their power to ensure that I had an outstanding customer experience.

Cyndi

joe111

I agree with your post Cyndi, a lack of respect for the customer at some dealerships really shows. I was lucky, I got my Accord at a good dealership and the salesman was respectful and honest. Maybe it's because I was about 25 years older than him and he was taught to have respect for his elders! Anyhow, I gave them all 5's on the rating, even before they gave me a full tank of gas. Joe

inky

I am hoping for a 6 speed manual for the EX V-6 and a little more torque.
Waiting out
INKY

smithmd

I'm a little late, but:

remember that the gas guage isn't terribly accurate when it comes to telling you exactly how much gas is in the tank. It's more of a suggestion. When the guage reads 1/2, you probably haven't used 8.5 gallons. The number is probably closer to 7 or 7.5 gallons (purely speculation on my part).

Anyway, my point is that you can't accurately figure gas mileage using the gas guage.

ricsch

Anyone have any info on the '03 Accord Sedan that is to be restyled for that year?

inky

Well, temple VTEC has a drawing.

http://www.vtec.net/news/

I like Hondas and look forward the the new Accord. I may order one once I see how impressive it may be. I want a V-6 manual. Rumors have 2.4 liter I-4 aka CRV and 3.0 to 3.2 liter aka 3.2TL.

Pictures will not be seen until June if HOnda is as furtive of usual.

INKY

sobers

Make sure you reset the Trip A or B mileage to 0 just after the tak fillup, Drive you car for a week & then refill it again. Now devide the miles on TripA by the gallons you put in (2nd fillup) Thats the real mileage.

**IF** you are not getting around 20+ in the City & around 30 on highway then check the tire prerssures & monitor the mileage...afterwards seek help! I averaged 20in City & 30 on Highway from the FIRST TANK of GAS....I don't think the engine needs to be broken in for a good mileage!

ickes

From what I have seen, it looks like the Euro/JDM Accord will be a more revolutionary update that the US market Accord. Several of the web pages such as TOV and a european site suggest that the US car will be a modest evolution of the current car's appearance. JDM and the European model include three engines: two four cylinders and a V-6. One of the fours is a high-performance model good for 220hp. That's not in the Altima's league, but it probably won't have Altima league tourque steer either. The high-performance 4cyl probably also means no V-6 speed, although given that they put a 6-speed in the CL is wouldn't be impossible. Most reports suggest that the current double-wishbone suspension will be retained for Accord, dispite the cost saving measures of switching to struts on the global small car platform (Civic/RSX)

On a side note, the new Mazda 6 looks very promising, especially in the 5-door hatchback form. It may give the '03 Accord a run for my car purchase money.

diploid

Someone noted that the car, in real life (at the Auto show), isn't as glamorous as the pictures.

bblacha

Honda is astonishingly conservative in designs for the American market - I mean, just look at the Pilot, designed from scratch in a new vehicle category, and already looks 6 years old; all models are that way, except the sports cars. That, and the fact that since 98 there have been two very distinct designs for N.A. / rest-of-the-world, makes me guess the redesign will be more under the skin than a change in looks.

At least, I hope so. I absolutely love the current just-sharp-enough wedge shape. The fact that I just bought one makes me biased of course :-)

--Bart

dtownfb

yes Honda is conservative for the North American market but look at their sales numbers for the past few years. Given their sales success, can you blame them for making the Pilot conservative?

hbund216

Considering quality of other makes is catching up with Honda styling will be very important.

postoak

How effective is the smartkey (or whatever Honda calls it -- I forgot) at preventing theft? Have many of you Accord owners have gone out and added an alarm to the car? Does the DX come with the smarkey?

stevem327

I have an Accord DX and it came with the "Smartkey" anti-theft feature. I'm pretty sure all Accords are so equipped, but I'm not sure how effective this security system is.

My dealer added a security feature called "Silencer" which is an ignition kill type of security system. It's a V-shaped computer chip thing that you insert into a slot below the steering column. The car will only start if the Honda key is in the ignition and the Silencer chip thing is also inserted into its slot at the same time. I'm not sure how effective it is, but the car definitely will not start without both the Honda key and the Silencer device being used together.

With any security system, however, it's probably possible to find a way to defeat it. Since you have an Accord (with its high theft rate), I'd recommend getting a system in addition to Honda's SmartKey system. At the very least, by "The Club" or something else that's visible. Thieves usually want something that's quick and easy so they will often skip a car with The Club (although they're very easy to break or strip).

Or, maybe talk to your Honda dealer or insurance company for advice if you don't get any responses here.

hbund216

I added an alarm with tilt sensor, internal motion sensor, and an internal siren. The coded keys are for mass market and are eventually defeated. The only down side of the alarm has been that the honda dealers I go to love to blame everything on the alarm. I also put on a the club.

isellhondas

I happen to despise aftermarket alarm systems. As they age, they act up. Nothing like a false alarm at 3AM!

Luckilly I live and work in a pretty low crime area and don't feel the need.

And a sloppy installation of an aftermarket system has butchered many a car.

The chip in the key is a good thing since hotwiring the car is impossible.

Guess a thief could still tow the thing away.

postoak

Honda calls their smartkey the Immobilizer System. From your posts, it sounds as if it is working okay. I too live in a relatively low-crime area, so I think I'll skip on the alarm. Like isellhondas, I don't much like aftermarket alarms because they've caused me some problems. Of course, the Immobilizer won't prevent someone from breaking a window and opening the trunk and stealing everything, but that's not a major concern.

jmtreetop

Well, the immoblizer works. I had a spare key made (obviously without a microchip) and tried to start my car. I guess it's just something a guy does when he is really bored, tries to 'test' things. Ok, so the ignition turns on and the starter cranks over and over but the engine never starts. Sounds like it just cuts out the fuel. Once I put in my Honda key, it started right up. I also tried starting my car with the Honda key while the Honda alarm is activated. The alarm went off and the engine started but the alarm kept sounding until I put the key in the door.

diploid

I guess the Honda dealer can charge you whatever he wants?

postoak

My salesman told me when I bought the car that the keys cost about $35 each, so to be careful with them. The owner's manual has a list of things to be careful about with regard to the keys.

While reading that section of the owner's manual, I noticed it said I was supposed to get a key master with my keys, which I didn't seem to receive. Do you really get this master and if you don't get it, is it going to be a problem getting duplicate keys made, later on, or can the dealer look your vin up and get the codes?

sobers

Does it open with the duplicate key ? I think so ??

postoak

I think your are correct, but when you think about it, so what? Why go to all the trouble of having a duplicate key made for a car when it won't allow you to drive off with it? You can "open" the car with a brick. An alarm, of course, would prevent all of this.

talkcars

I'm researching new cars (domestic and foreign) and am considering the Accord SE (auto),Taurus or Malibu. But there aren't many Accord SE postings (or SE owners??) on this board, which makes me curious. Seems more people are choosing the 6 cyl models, so there must be reasons. Most of all, I want a reliable car. I've talked with some repair shop managers and comments are there aren't any differences now in reliability between foreign (including Honda) and domestic, based on cars that come through their shops. Any comments? Thanks.

jmtreetop

The duplicate key does open the doors and trunk, just does not start the car. It's nice if you want a spare key around I guess. I have left my master key in 'rear seat release' in the back of the car and forgot about it until I shut the door. I only made this duplicate key for the testing of immobilizer. Anyways, I still see and feel that foreign makes better vehicles (excluding korea). American vehicles are catching up but I still don't think they are equal. I have a 4cyl EX and have had 0 problems with it. I can't say the same for the 5 American vehicles I have owned. I'm only 23 so that should tell you something, I will never buy another American vehicle as long as I live. I learned after a few 'new' Ford engines were going out in my parent's Explorer at 40,000 and an F-150 at 65,000 miles. To me, this is low mileage for any engine. I also had a new Dodge Dakota that I sold at 7000 miles because it was constantly in the shop for new transmission, ball bearings, A/C...and 12 other things that I won't go into here. Reliability is dependent on the model though. Most of my friends have Honda's and I am now the only one that does not have over 100k on their car. The Honda 4cyl engines are strong. I'm stuck on Toyota's and Honda's from personal experience.

alpha01

The Taurus and Malibu don't come anywhere NEAR the Accord, unless the only aspect of a vehicle purchase you car about is selling price. If you are looking for value, you will find comfort in knowing the perhaps higher intial expense with an Accord will be offset by years upon years of trouble free miles. I'm not even an Accord owner... we choose the 02 Camry, which we LOVE, but a Taurus and Malibu.... no....
~alpha01

stevem327

Sorry, I can't compare the EX to the SE because I don't own either one (I own a DX Accord). However, if your main concern is reliability (like you said in your message) then I would choose the Honda over the Taurus or Malibu.

While it's true that American cars have made great strides in improving their quality and reliability, I still don't think they're as good as what the Japanese are offering. They are definitely much closer to matching the Japanese than they were 10-15 years ago, but for long-term reliability and value, nothing compares to a Honda or Toyota IMHO.

I think the reason you don't see a lot of messages from SE owners is perhaps due to the fact that there are many more DX, LX, and EX models out there than SE models. I guess that's why they call it a Special Edition (fewer of them out there).

Also, keep in mind that the Malibu only got a two-star rating in NHTSA's side impact test for 2001. They haven't tested the 2002 side rating yet, but two stars is VERY low. The Accord got four stars but I'm not sure what the Taurus got. NHTSA's website is www.nhtsa.gov

siren3

Completely agree with what alpha01 wrote, and you should also consider resale values of the cars you're looking at. Hondas decrease in value very slowly, as compared to most American cars. Whenever you decide to sell your new car, if it's a Honda, you'll probably get more money for it.

talkcars

I would buy the DX but I need the seat height adjustment and Honda skips the LX and offers it on the SE and up. Special Edition cars bother me somewhat though, do you believe they have the same quality/parts/etc.? Why do companies build special edition cars? The resell value and safety ratings are important, I'll look at that website.

Another argument for domestic cars from the auto repair managers was the difference between repair costs and parts of foreign cars, but I'd rather not have the aggravation. I read on this board that 4 cyl Accords are more expensive than the 6 cyl to maintain and repair. A couple of people were comparing their routine maintenance costs. Am curious why that is. Anyone else had that experience?

isellhondas

An SE is nothing more than an LX with a lot of extras. they are a great value for the money.

Same reliability as an LX or SE.

I can't hardly believe your mechanic said the repair stats on a Honda and the other makes you mentioned are the same!

The Taurus and Malibu will deperciate like a ROCK. As used cars, few people want them.

Good Luck!

onebuc

Just a quick thanks for responding to my oil leak delima. It was in fact the balance shaft seal. The dealer never blinked when I informed them of this leak, and that I thought it was that. They said bring it in and we will fix it. They replaced both the timing and balance shaft belts also with no charge, as silvercoupe had suggested. Ended up having them talk me into other seals and belts for a measly $140, but I am thankful that I came here first. Thanks alot guys onebuc

tgozdalski

I understand that I probably should place my question in maintainance but this forum is a very active one. I changed radiator coolant today in 00 accord lx 5 speed. We drove 64k miles in 26 months. According to manual I should also remove the drain plug located in the back of the engine block. The socket size for the plug is 19mm. I tried to loosen the plug with a breaker bar but would not move. At the end I ended up replacing the coolant drained by the radiator plug and from overflow container. I drained total 4.25l of coolant when manual says the system holds 5.5l. Anybody out there who was able to remove the drain plug in engine block?
Tom

nab00

I know that Honda has a very good reputation for building reliable cars, but I am still curious as to whether anyone has had any major problems with their last-generation Accords. Anything would be appreciative, but no bashing. Thanks.

truck96

I have a 2000 Accord EX, I love the car, it has performed flawless and in the next 1 to 1 1/2yrs it will need the timing belt replaced for the 100k service. Has anyone had the belt replaced at the dealer and after the belt, water pump and etc is replaced how much was the bill.
Thanks in advance
Truck

jrct9454

Here in the CA central valley, independents do the combination of timing belt, water pump, coolant replacement for $275-$325; dealers charge from $300-$400, depending on the details and the exact pieces being replaced.

regchase

It seems Hondas are a lot cheaper in Canada than the U.S., if you review the respective prices on www.honda.com and www.honda.ca.

For example, the EX V-6 Automatic is 31,100 Canadian, which (with an exchange rate of roughly .65/1.54) equals 20,215 US. But the car in the U.S. in fact lists for 25,300 US.

So the car costs 25% more in the United States than Canada.

The same magnitude of difference is seen in other Hondas, but not some other brands (e.g. BMW).

It seems us Canadians are getting some pretty good values. Anyone know why?

tgozdalski

I think if Honda Canada would price Accord EX at 35,000 Canadian it would put this car out of reach for average family, more yet for family with two-three children. Disposable income in US and Canada is close especially after taking into account high Canadian taxes. When I lived in Canada I paid about 42% combined federal/provincial income tax. Perhaps Honda is subsidizing Canadian Accords?

sobers

2002 SE vs EX
The difference is: ABS, 6 Disc CD changer & Rear Dosc brakes on the EX are not on SE. (SE has the FAKE WOOD TRIM though!)

BUT SE is a GREAT VALUE at 19207 invoice (dest included) & you can get one for $300 over invoice. SE comes with a LOT of goodies like: CD, Cassete, Alloys, Security,Keyless with trunk, mats std, Fake wood trim. Relibility will be as good as other models as it is essentially the same car as LX/EX with different options.

Resale: Accord SE traditionally retain better value than other trims. i.e LX SE price difference is $1000 but SE will retain atleast $1500 more after 2 years than LX.

About MALIBU TAURUS : GOD BLESS YOU!! :-)

2 year old V6 Malibu with 50,000 miles is worth $5000 in the market as NOBODY wants them !!! Same with Taurus.....Both Malibu & Taurus have 50% sales going to rental/fleet which dump them after 8-12 months with 25,000 miles driving resale sown the sink!!!!

sobers

are horrendous in terms of longterm reliability compared to Accord

mymaxima

Hi,

Since I cannot find a Acura Integra board, I decided to try my luck on here. Acura=Honda, right? I know Integra is more related to Civic then Accord, but it's Honda. ;-)

Recently my car, '91 integra, started to develop two problems. When I tried to put the automatic transmission lever into 'P' position, I don't get the indicator light that the selector in that position. When this happens, I cannot take the key out of the steering column. I have to wait quite a while until I hear the clicking sound from the floor and then indicator light on. To get the key out.

The other problem is the water temperature gauge. Someone told me it is due to the faulty thermostat, but, anyway, here is the symptom. When the car is idling, I see the temperature needle moves into normal position. However, once the car is moving, it drops below the minimum level. I checked the water level and it looked normal. Meaning full.

Would the fixes for these problems costly? I'm not planning to keep this car long and I want to do the most of the maintenance by myself unless the problem do requires the serious look by mechanics.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

tiger8

Will the '03 V-6 Accord have the 3.5 240hp engine?

laithy_74

The 2003 Accord will most definitely have the 160hp-2.4L from the CR-V. I wonder if Honda will still offer the same engine but without the VTEC in the DX.
Regarding the V6 offering, I see one of three scenarios happening:
3.0 V6 with 210-215hp
3.1 V6 with 210-220 hp
3.2 V6 with 220 hp (from the 3.2TL)

I do not expect the Accord to have less than 210hp, but no more than 220hp either. Honda does not want to outshadow the 3.2TL with the accord, nor does it want to loose the excellent balance/safety of a FWD with not-too-much-horsepower.

canadiancl

Traditionally, Honda has increased power by about 10% with each model changeover, so I would expect no more than 220 for the V6.

canadiancl

With the horrendous exchange rate, I think Honda is definitely making less profit on the Canadian market. They have to absorb some of the exchange loss. I mean, who's going to buy a $40,000 Cdn Accord??!

The MSRP/invoice spread is smaller in Canada too. Also, I think the holdback system is different in Canada. That's why not many people can buy at invoice, let alone below invoice.

This is just my observation and speculation. Anyone else with more accurate info on the car-buying system in Canada?

rtfmdude

Has anyone trying using the high beam bulb 9005 for the low beam in the Accord. I don't think there are any difference between the 9005 high and 9006 low beam except for the 10 watts difference.

mtr2

My check engine light keeps coming on/off on my 98 accord. Almost everytime it seems to be realted to filling the tank. Eventhough the cap clicks after I close the tank, I feel it rotates freely with the clicking noise. Is it possible that the gas cap is broken thereby causing the light to come on? Has anyone had similar problems?